Make a tool rest for short money - a piece of 2" x 2" angle iron the width that you want and a 5/8" bolt. Cut the head of the bolt off and if you buy a real long one, cut the threads off also. Have someone (or yourself if you can do it) weld the 5/8 shaft to the angle iron in the center and you have an excellent tool rest.
I stole the idea from CS afer he posted something showing his setup. I now can turn a plug 12 to 14 inches with out moving the rest.
